Families For Life | Toddler Sleep: What to Expect

Children need plenty of sleep to restore, rest and repair the body. Sleep also aids cognitive functioning and learning. Growth hormone levels are also at their highest during sleep.

Evidence suggests that sleep disruption or insufficient sleep has potentially harmful effects on a child’s learning, memory, attention, concentration, mood, health and overall quality of life. Sleep loss has been linked to weight gain, obesity, diabetes, depression, and poorer immunity. Daytime sleepiness results in poor school performance and an increased incidence of learning disorders. There may also be an adverse impact on parental and family functioning.

A recent study in Singapore showed that Singaporean preschoolers sleep significantly less than recommended and have poor sleep habits.